In our societies, we tend to take the small roles played by people for granted. We never really pay attention or give importance to those jobs and roles played by people who may seem menial to us, like traffic controllers, forklift operators, fast food worker and more. Becoming a traffic controller takes much more than it seems to us. It requires proper training and classes that you need to take courses for. It is long days in the sun and guiding angry and annoyed drivers who are looking for ways to skip the rules. You can book your spot in our traffic control courses for proper training and information on traffic controllers and the role they play. Here are some tips on how to become a traffic controller, the equipment you will need, the role you will play and the expectations that come with the role.
What Do You Do?
Most of us must have seen traffic controllers on the side of the road, waving their equipment guiding people to the correct destination but their role is much more than that. They’re meant to direct pedestrians to take the right routes and to walk on zebra crossings only. They guide cars around accidents or around construction sites. They ensure the safety of the public, construction workers and those involved within an accident or those helping them.
Equipment Required
There is certain protective equipment that is essential for every traffic controller to wear, have and use. This equipment is for your own safety and for other’s safety too.
Steel Toe Cap Boots
These are boots that have a steel cap on the toe area; these are meant to protect you if you were to get into an accident. For example, a car was to go over your toes, the steel being a hard and sturdy material would help protect your toes from the impact of the car and keep your toes from being fractured.
Hard Hat
A hard hat is the most important and crucial gear that is required to be worn by traffic controllers. This protects their head and also blocks the sunlight from getting into their eyes which would become a problem as they need to be able to see the on-coming traffic.
Reflecting Clothes
It seems very important that traffic controllers’ clothes have fluorescent elements that would not only alert the traffic that is coming but also protect the traffic controller from accidents. Yellow or orange is the usually recommended color that such workers are meant to wear.
There is much more equipment like earplugs, sunscreen and protective eyewear which is very important for the traffic controller to use as it would protect them from any harm coming their way.
Products They Would Need To Use
There are many products and equipment that a traffic controller is supposed to use to control the on-coming traffic. Some of them are mentioned below.
- Stop and slow bat: a bat with a stop sign on one side to stop the traffic and slow on the other side to warn the traffic of the accident or construction site.
- Chevrons: black and yellow arrows which help in directing traffic.
